ThE CAST
Special Guest Artist
Jaquay Pearce
Jaquay (juh-kway) Pearce was first introduced to the violin at age 7, as a student in her elementary school’s strings program, and has continued training and performing since age 16. As a solo artist, Jaquay loves to perform classical crossover selections branching into genres such as pop, rock, and R&B. She has performed for several music/art festivals such a Fringe!, and Jingle Eve, as well as corporate conventions and fashion shows. Jaquay performs with several bands and singer-songwriters such as, EmiSunshine & The Rain, Crystal Bowersox (runner-up on American Idol) and Porter & Sayles (contestants on the Voice). Jaquay became a member of the string quartet Violectric in January 2017.
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Special Guest Artist
Mzuri Moyo Aimbaye
Born in Paterson, New Jersey, Mzuri Moyo Aimbaye is an internationally acclaimed singer, actress and playwright of the multi-award-winning one-woman play, "The Fannie Lou Hamer Story." Her Swahili name means Mzuri (beautiful) Moyo (heart) Aimbaye (who sings). Her talents combine the presence of a movie star with a booming vocal range and versatility of an opera singer. Ms. Aimbaye has been enthusiastically received on cabaret and concert stages both nationally and around the world.
Special Guest Artist
Cheryl "Ping" Leonard
Cheryl "Ping" Leonard is an anointed minister of the word, a psalmist and a songwriter, known for her style of delivery of traditional, contemporary and praise and worship music.
Cheryl is an independent gospel artist, releasing two CD projects. She has served in ministry with her husband, Bishop DL Leonard for over 30 years, at the Tabernacle of the Enlightened Church of God for over 30 years, and have now established Freedom In Christ Ministries.
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Sairi Witherspoon
Clare
Sairi Witherspoon is a 16-year-old high school sophomore who has attended Avalon Dance Company for the last ten years. She trains in all forms of dance, but especially enjoys jazz, contemporary, and musical theater. In 2022, Sairi recognized as an exceptional dancer by Heat Force and awarded a Dance Scholarship. Sairi plans to pursue a dance degree as part of her academic journey. She is excited to be a part of the 2024 production of Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker.
The Chocolate Nutcracker Prince
Xavier Logan is a 21-year-old proud native of Atlanta, Georgia. He’s a dancer, singer, actor, and model. A graduate of Northsprings High School of the Arts and Sciences and alumnus of Dance Makers of Atlanta, Xavier is now an uprising senior at The Juilliard School. Since joining The Juilliard School, Xavier has worked with Cidra Bell, Caili Quan, Jamar Roberts, Bobbi Jene Smith, Or Schraiber, Raja Feather Kelley, Larry Keigwin, and Sharon Eyal. He’s performed Camille A. Brown’s “City of Rain” and Johannes Wieland’s “Falling Empire”. And has received recent choreographic recognition presenting his work “Welcome To The J(U)” in Juilliard’s 2023 Choreographic Honors programing, making it the first hip-hop dance to grace Juilliard’s Mainstage. And in 2024 the sequel to this piece, “HBC-J(U): A Ju-illiard Homecoming” was chosen for Juilliard’s 2024 Choreographic Honors. Xavier was also recently selected as Teen Vogue X GLAAD 20 under 20 rising star.
Xavier has attended the Arts Umbrella, Jacob’s Pillow, Netherlands Dans Theater, and Orsolina 28 Summer Intensive.Where he has had the pleasure of working with Jennifer Archibald, Lilliana Barbos, and Tom Weinberger.
The Mouse King and
Sugar Plum Fairy's Beau
in Candyland
Jeremy T. Villas is a 20 year old native of Queens NY, in his senior year at Juilliard School. At the age of 9, Jeremy was a full scholarship recipient at The Ailey School, trained with MOVE|NYC|'s Young Professionals Program, and The Professional Performing Arts High School as a musical theater major.
Jeremy has performed in Kinky Boots on Broadway, many Off- Broadway shows, and has also performed in many Workshops/Readings, and Cast Recordings. He has been featured in a Nickelodeon Black Dance History Month Campaign featuring Misty Copeland and a Macy's Back to School Dance Commercial. Jeremy has also been featured in Acne Studios Paper Issue 16 through MOVE|NYC| and Jordan Matters Published Photography Book “Born to dance”. He has spent his summers at Jacob's Pillow for the Contemporary, Contemporary Ballet, and Musical Theatre program, Ellison Ballet, Netherlands Dance Theatre, Ballet BC, ABT, and Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensive.
cHARISMA TRAN
Sugar Plum Fairy &
Y.E.S.S. Orlando Young Lions Drummer and Soloist
Charisma is a high school sophomore and a competitive dancer at Shooting Stars School of Performing Arts. She is also the drummer and marketing director of Y.E.S.S. Orlando Young Lions. Outside of dance, Charisma enjoys acting, modeling and volunteering. In 2021, she made her debut in four episodes of a TLC Reality Show and modeled for New York Fashion Week. In addition, Charisma is a volunteer for Teens Go Green Global, Orlando Union Rescue Mission and Give Kids the World. This will be the third year that Charisma and Y.E.S.S. will perform in Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker.
Sa'NAA NATALIA BRAHIMI
Snow Queen
Sa'Naa Natalia Brahimi is a 16-year-old Orlando native. This is her third season with Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker as the Snow Queen. She has received her training from Avalon Dance for more than a decade and has attended the Joffrey ballet summer intensive. She is recognized as a regional and national Platinum award winning dancer in both jazz and contemporary technique. This Sa'Naa's third year as the Snow Queen.
BRANDON K.I. HERRING JR.
Clare's Brother Fritz
Brandon K.I. Herring, Jr. is a 12-year-old Orlando Native with Nigerian and American Roots. Brandon's aspirations include musical theater, acting, modeling, fashion design, and digital media. Brandon is currently a 7th Grader in Howard Middle School's Academy of the Arts (an OCPS Magnet School for the Visual and Performing Arts). Brandon has participated in various classes at Dr. Phillips Center's AdventHealth School of the Arts in Drama, Musical Theater, & Broadway Jazz. He has modeled with Set It Off Production's Kids Fashion Shows, as well as, participated in CPMS Orlando All-Stars ECHOES Summer Theatre Troupe. Brandon is SO Excited to be a Part of the 2024 Production of Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker.
Abigail imaan graham
Clare's Sister
Abigail Imaan Graham is a ten-year old Orlando native with Caribbean roots. She has danced with Avalon Dance Company since the age of three and started dancing competitively in 2023. She is an accomplished dancer in a variety of techniques including ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, Afrobeats and tap. This is Abigail's second year performing in Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker.
Ezra Ben Kaniyah
Drummer
Ezra Ben Kaniyah was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He has 20+ years of drumming experience under the leadership of Sunshine Lee, Weesie Braimah, Atur Eleeahsah, Asaur Owens, & Caph Geui. This is Ezra's third season with Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker.
The Mime boyZ
Performers in the Gospel Scene
The Mime Boyz was organized in the spring of 1996 under the direction of the
theatrical ministry choreographer, Sis. Leslie Hall of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Eatonville, FL under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Willie C. Barnes.
These “Gentlemen of The Gospel “ (Pastor Julius L Miles III, Elder Khayree N. Pender, Min. Emery L Minter) are committed to God and allow Him to use them in a most unique way to spread God’s love all over the United States through the ministry of mime. They combine their youthful spirit with the best in inspirational and Christ-centered music to accomplish their goal. Not only are they involved in their churches and community, but also let their lights shine wherever they go.
Jones High SChool Alumni & Community Band
Orchestra
The Jones High School Alumni & Community Band will perform in the 2024 production of Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker. We are delighted to welcome them for a second consecutive year.
